A Sustainability Plan at Pine Butte. Nature Conservancy staff have developed a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions through conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy use. 

The Lee Barhaugh Good Energy Fund. To help fund this important work, the Conservancy has created this fund in honor of the guest ranch's long-time ranch manager who retired in 2007. Lee began efforts to reduce the ranch's carbon footprint in 2000, when he convinced a long-time lover of the ranch, Tony Kiser, to fund the first of the ranch's renewable energy improvements.

These improvemenst included:

• installing solar panels
• installing a wind generator at the staff quarters
• solar heating for the pool

Now staff are stepping up their efforts and implementing a sustainability plan. This year efforts include:

• construction of a passive solar greenhouse
• growing homegrown produce (and reducing some food transport)
• a greenhouse that connects to the solar/wind array
• solar hot water systems in the cabins
• installation of efficient fireplace inserts

Future plans

• on-demand propane heaters
• evaluating ways to expand onsite electricity generation